Blogging for Change

What is a mortgage loan modification

by Kim McGrigg on
6/1/2010
in Housing and Homeownership

There has been a lot of attention placed on home modification loans as a way to help prevent home foreclosures. A home modification loan is an agreement that actually changes the term of your existing loan. The Making Home Affordable program uses government subsidies and incentives to reduce principals and lower interest rates on conforming loans.

While loan modification is the right solution for some struggling homeowners, it is not the solution for every struggling homeowner.  Following are basic criteria to qualify for the Making Home Affordable loan modification program:

  • The property is owner-occupied
  • The unpaid principal balance that is equal to or less than a certain amount (based on number of units up to 4)
  • The loan originated on or before January 1, 2009
  • The mortgage payment greater than 31% of gross income
  • There is financial hardship that can be documented

If you are having trouble making your mortgage payments and are considering loan modification, there are some things you should know.

  1. You don’t have to go it alone. A HUD-certified housing counselor can help you assess the situation, create a plan of action, and outline next steps.
  2. It pays to be proactive. The most important thing to do is to take action. Seeking help sooner rather than later can increase the number of options you have available.
  3. There may be other options. Loan modification is only one of the many possible solutions to foreclosure. 
  4. Be patient, but persistent.  It takes time (and paperwork) to make changes.  Be sure to keep copies of all related documents for your files and be aware of any deadlines.
  5. You must beware of scams. Never agree to transfer your deed and do not make payments to anyone but your lender without their approval. There should not be a fee associated with housing counseling.

Finally, don't assume that there isn't help for your situation; there are new programs being launched all the time. For example, there is a new program designed to help people who unemployed. Part of a trained housing counselor’s job is to have the most up-to-date information available so that he or she can help identify your options.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a HUD-certified housing counselor, visit our section of the website dedicated to providing foreclosure help. You can prepare for your appointment by checking to see if you are eligible for the Making Home Affordable program. To do this, you can use the tools found at MakingHomeAffordable.gov.

Kim McGrigg is the former Manager of Community and Media Relations for MMI.

Recommended Articles

Young couple standing in front of home that is for sale.
Housing Counseling & Resources
MMI offers a variety of housing counseling options. Connect with one of our trained counselors for one-on-one assistance.
Learn More
Learn more
  • Better Business Bureau A+ rating Better Business Bureau
    MMI is proud to have achieved an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a nonprofit organization focused on promoting and improving marketplace trust. The BBB investigates charges of fraud against both consumers and businesses, sets standards for truthfulness in advertising, and evaluates the trustworthiness of businesses and charities, providing a score from A+ (highest) to F (lowest).
  • Financial Counseling Association of America Financial Counseling Association of America
    MMI is a proud member of the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA), a national association representing financial counseling companies that provide consumer credit counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling, bankruptcy counseling, debt management, and various financial education services.
  • Trustpilot Trustpilot
    MMI is rated as “Excellent” (4.9/5) by reviewers on Trustpilot, a global, online consumer review platform dedicated to openness and transparency. Since 2007, Trustpilot has received over 116 million customer reviews for nearly 500,000 different websites and businesses. See what others are saying about the work we do.
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development - Equal Housing Opportunity Department of Housing and Urban Development
    MMI is certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide consumer housing counseling. The mission of HUD is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD provides support services directly and through approved, local agencies like MMI.
  • Council on Accreditation Council On Accreditation
    MMI is proudly accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), an international, independent, nonprofit, human service accrediting organization. COA’s thorough, peer-reviewed accreditation process is designed to ensure that organizations like MMI are providing the highest standard of service and support for clients and employees alike.
  • National Foundation for Credit Counseling National Foundation for Credit Counseling
    MMI is a longstanding member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®), the nation’s largest nonprofit financial counseling organization. Founded in 1951, the NFCC’s mission is to promote financially responsible behavior and help member organizations like MMI deliver the highest-quality financial education and counseling services.